Logical Fallacies – essentially illogical, often with a candidate turning away from directly answering a question or dealing with the particulars of an issue, but still effective in a debate/speech
Argumentum Ad Hominem – (“Argument to the man”) – turning from the issue to attack the character of opponent Example: Smith should not be elected. He just got a divorce, and his father is an alcoholic. “[Alabama’s] governor having his lips dripping with the words of interposition and nullification…” (MLK)
Ad Misericordium – an appeal for sympathy; appealing to the misery of the crowd Example: Did you steal the money? I’m out of work, my family hasn’t eaten in two days, and my wife has just been arrested…
Ad Vericundium – (“to the truth”) – an appeal to authority It says so in the Bible…My teacher says, … The doctor says, … Example: Many politicians refer to God in speeches, implying that God is on their side; note how many end their speeches with “God bless America!” as if god is on America’s side. Example: Many advertising campaigns are built on this fallacy. Popular sports figures, musicians, or actors endorse products of which they have no special expertise and, in this context, this fact is offered as a mistaken reason we should use those products.
Ad Populum - (“to the populace”) – an appeal to the crowd; arguing that something is right or true because most people believe it Example: Politicians often use ad populum to pull at the heartstrings of the audience…such as when they discuss a particular soldier’s plight in Afghanistan (making audience sad) or particular people who have found success following the American Dream! (making audience happy/inspired) - rather than answering the question they were asked.
Self-evident Truths – jumping to a forgone conclusion, as if “everyone” agrees; saying something as if it is true and cannot be argued Examples: Everybody knows … We all can see…
Either / Or Fallacy – absolute extremes which do not allow for middle ground Example: Do you want to go to college or dig ditches all your life? Example: We can either stop using cars or we can destroy the planet!
Argumentum Ad Hominem – (“Argument to the man”) – turning from the issue to attack the character of opponent
Example: Smith should not be elected. He just got a divorce, and his father is an alcoholic.
“[Alabama’s] governor having his lips dripping with the words of interposition and nullification…” (MLK)
Visual Example:
Bad ArgumentAd Misericordium – an appeal for sympathy; appealing to the misery of the crowd
Example: Did you steal the money? I’m out of work, my family hasn’t eaten in two days, and my wife has just been arrested…
Visual Example:
I was traumatized
Ad Vericundium – (“to the truth”) – an appeal to authority
It says so in the Bible…My teacher says, … The doctor says, …
Example: Many politicians refer to God in speeches, implying that God is on their side; note how many end their speeches with “God bless America!” as if god is on America’s side.
Example: Many advertising campaigns are built on this fallacy. Popular sports figures, musicians, or actors endorse products of which they have no special expertise and, in this context, this fact is offered as a mistaken reason we should use those products.
Ad Populum - (“to the populace”) – an appeal to the crowd; arguing that something is right or true because most people believe it
Example: Politicians often use ad populum to pull at the heartstrings of the audience…such as when they discuss a particular soldier’s plight in Afghanistan (making audience sad) or particular people who have found success following the American Dream! (making audience happy/inspired) - rather than answering the question they were asked.
Visual Example:
Rachel Maddow discussing Fox News
Self-evident Truths – jumping to a forgone conclusion, as if “everyone” agrees; saying something as if it is true and cannot be argued
Examples: Everybody knows … We all can see…
Either / Or Fallacy – absolute extremes which do not allow for middle ground
Example: Do you want to go to college or dig ditches all your life?
Example: We can either stop using cars or we can destroy the planet!
Overview Links on the Fallacies:
Comedy of fallacies
Logical Fallacies
And just for fun, The Beatles teach the logical fallacies…